Tis: We'll Make The Most Of Anfield Trip

19 January 2016

Oliver Roderick

Grecians manager looks ahead to Liverpool match at Anfield

EXETER CITY manager Paul Tisdale has told his players to enjoy the occasion as they prepare to take on Liverpool at Anfield, but insisted that the Grecians will do all they can to progress against Jurgen Klopp's side.

City's Emirates FA Cup Third Round replay takes place at Anfield on Wednesday with an 8pm kick-off, and will be screened live on BT Sport.

"We've focused on the last two Sky Bet League 2 matches, as it was imperative that we didn't take our eye off the ball and come into this replay having lost two games," Paul said. "We've been to Morecambe and we've been to Leyton Orient and come back with four points; we've rotated the squad a little and got plenty of players playing, and now we can look forward to this one. We're going to enjoy it; we have nothing to lose, and we know that we've just picked up some valuable points towards the club's campaign.

"As much as we were delighted with the draw [in the first match against Liverpool], it was tinged slightly by the fact that we had the lead with fifteen minutes to go. But, being a football manager, you move onto the next very quickly. If you reflect too much on a match, you're in trouble, so we had to put it behind us for the two league games. We're all very proud of the way the club conducted itself in that first game, and there will be six thousand Exeter City supporters going, so we've all got to enjoy it.

"We have to be practical and we have to be very considered about the performance that we need to give, in order to give us the best chance we can of progressing. Whichever team Liverpool field, they'll be strong - they are a top Premier League team with a big squad, and even a lot of the youngsters will have been out on loan to the Championship and League 1. They have commanded fees, and I'm sure they earn good salaries. We just have to accept that we are playing against eleven Liverpool players, no matter who they are, but we go in positive and with nothing to lose.

"I'm sure that the surface on Wednesday will be like chalk and cheese in comparison to St James Park ten days ago, but they will be more used to the surface than us. My players will have every intent to make the very best of the surface; we have to adapt, and it's not just about being one hundred per cent committed, it's about understanding the environment. It was the luck of the draw, literally - we were pulled out of the hat with Liverpool, so now we have to make the most of it. We'll do our very best."